Isotopic traits of the Arctic water cycle


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moein.mellat [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

The Arctic hydrological cycle undergoes rapid and pronounced changes, including alterations in oceanic and atmospheric circulations, and precipitation patterns. Stable water isotopes (δ18O, δ2H, d-excess) can be used to trace these processes including their potential to feedback into the global climate system. The MOSAiC expedition provided a unique opportunity to collect, analyze, and synthesize discrete samples of the different hydrological compartments in the central Arctic, comprising sea ice, seawater, snow, and melt ponds. Here, we present spatio-temporal variations in the isotopic signatures of more than 1,000 water samples. We found that (i) average seawater δ18O of -1.7‰ conforms to observed and modelled isotopic traits of the Arctic Ocean; (ii) second year ice is relatively depleted compared to first year ice with average δ18O values of -3.1‰ and -0.7‰, respectively. This might be due to post-depositional exchange processes with snow, which has the most depleted isotopic signature among all compartments (mean δ18O=-15.1‰). Our dataset provides an unprecedented description of the present-day isotopic composition of the Arctic water covering a complete seasonal cycle. This will ultimately contribute to resolve the linkages between sea ice, ocean, and atmosphere during critical transitions from frozen ocean to open water conditions.



Item Type
Conference (Poster)
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Event Details
MOSAiC conference, 25 Apr 2022 - 29 Apr 2022, Potsdam, Germany.
Eprint ID
56244
Cite as
Mellat, M. , Werner, M. , Brunello, C. F. , Bauch, D. , Damm, E. , Angelopoulos, M. , Nomura, D. , Welker, J. , Schneebeli, M. , Granskog, M. A. , D'Angelo, A. , Hoerhold, M. , Arndt, S. and Meyer, H. (2022): Isotopic traits of the Arctic water cycle , MOSAiC conference, Potsdam, Germany, 25 April 2022 - 29 April 2022 .


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PS > 122/1 (MOSAiC20192020)
PS > 122/2 (MOSAiC20192020)
PS > 122/3 (MOSAiC20192020)
PS > 122/4 (MOSAiC20192020)
PS > 122/5 (MOSAiC20192020)

Funded by
BMBF 03FO869A


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